At the Centre: Ristorante Piperno

by Hüner Aldemir

“I’m walking through the alleys of the Jewish Ghetto in Rome, a historic neighborhood that has been home to the city’s Jewish community since the 16th century. Here, I will be studying Italian for the next two months. These moments are just for me—to eat, drink, and study, simply because I want to.”

On her first Sunday in Rome, Hüner finds herself at Ristorante Piperno, a cornerstone of Jewish Roman cuisine since 1860. Greeted by the warmth of mallard-green walls and the care of Signora Benedetta, the meal becomes more than just lunch.

“To call the carciofo alla giudia one of the best things I’ve ever tasted feels inadequate. As a lifelong artichoke lover, this was beyond anything I’d experienced. The satisfying crunch echoed across the dining room, while the tender inside could warm even the coldest heart.”

From her first full Italian conversation to the joyful chaos of the dining room, Hüner reflects on how these fleeting, borrowed moments transformed her experience in Rome.

Discover Hüner Aldemir’s full story and her shortlist of Roman must-visits in the first issue of Centre Mag.